Bird feeding/watching

Hi all! I am new to both gardening and bird watching. I started a life list this January and the best place to start adding to it is in my own backyard. I feed the birds wild bird food from the store and am getting frustrated because all I get are House Finches and House Sparrows (not to mention all of the Mourning Doves) and am wondering if there is something else I could put out in a feeder to attract other guys. Any ideas? The house finches are rather aggressive and chase off anything that appears!

Hi newhobby, Welcome to the Bird Watching Forum! I would start putting Peanuts in the shell out first (make sure their unsalted). That should bring in Blue Jays and maybe some Woodpeckers. You can also put out peanut halves after that but the ones in the shell will be a big draw.Good Luck!

After they start coming in for the peanuts you could start using a Nut n Berry mix. This is good for all birds.

I am not familiar with birds in Arizona... but in our area, especially in winter, thawed water really attracts alot of birds. You may not have to worry about freezing in your area, but a bird bath or a fountain is a great attractant for birds.

We use Suet to attract woodpeckers, but suet might be nasty in warm climate... so that may not be a good choice for you.

The best thing you can do is find out what birds are native to your area and find out what they eat and then grow those plants in your yard. I get more birds on my native plants than anything else.

This message was edited Feb 20, 2007 3:07 PM

You would have to use the No Melt suet in Az. I'm not sure even that would hold up in your summer heat.

Thanks for the suet ideas, I have tried it and was unaware it might melt as it warms up here!!!

I'll give the peanuts a try, there are blue jays but they aren't very common here in Phoenix- bummed!

I do have a cat who now wears a collar for killing a few mourning doves. Even with a collar though I am hesistant to do a bird bath though I would love to try a hanging one. The issue with that is the water getting too hot- I might be able to put it in my grotto area....

I have 3 feeders so will experiment with each of your suggestions! Thanks!!!!

Lots of other bird love peanuts in the shell too.

Heres a link that has more links about birds in AZ.

http://phoenix.about.com/od/birding/Birding_in_Arizona.htm

Nyger thistle attracts a wide variety of birds as well - it will be fun to get reports from you, Newhobby, as things begin to happen in your yard!

Hi newhobby
You mention that you're using 'wild bird food from the store' - I wonder if it's the tan colored millet seed that is sold at most stores. Be sure to try using the "Black Oil Sunflower" seeds, too, if that's not what you have. Most birds would rather have black oil sunflower than millet seeds

All the other suggestions are right, too, of course - if you provide a bird bath, sunflower seeds, suet, peanuts, thistle seeds, pieces of fruit, and maybe even meal worms, no bird could resist visiting your yard!

Am loving this thread! We have just moved to area that has lots of wooded areas close by. So far we have had Blue Jays, Cardinals, Woodpecker(will have to check which kind) and lots & lots of Bluebirds!! My DH didn't know what they were!!

Newhobby:

I'd second what Claypa said. Almost all birds like sunflower seeds.

To attract a variety of birds you need 3 things: food, water, and shelter. By shelter, I mean areas of shelter - like shrubs and trees - near the feeder area. Many birds like to stay hidden and dart out to the feeder -and they want to have a quick retreat spot..

Deb